Introductions to Eastern Theology

[Pope_Noah_I]

I’m looking for some good introductions to Eastern Christian (preferably Catholic) theology and philosophy. I own the CCC, and two volumes of the Philokalia (which, as a side note, I’m wondering about approaching a Greek Orthodox priest about, as a staretz). So, does anyone have some good suggestions for someone who isn’t very well-versed in theology, but who is interested in learning more?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Consider anything by Vladimir Lossky, especially his Orthodox Theology: An Introduction.

Deacon Ed

 

[wynd]

I’m looking for some good introductions to Eastern Christian (preferably Catholic) theology and philosophy. I own the CCC, and two volumes of the Philokalia (which, as a side note, I’m wondering about approaching a Greek Orthodox priest about, as a staretz). So, does anyone have some good suggestions for someone who isn’t very well-versed in theology, but who is interested in learning more?

Two suggestions:

1. Start praying, especially the Jesus Prayer. As the fourth-century monastic writer Evagrius of Pontus once said, “one who prays is a theologian and a theologian is one who prays.”
2. I recommend the books The Orthodox Way and The Way of a Pilgrim.

 

[eric_sammons]

Anything by Archbishop Joseph Raya, especially “The Face of God: An Introduction to Eastern Spirituality.” Raya was a Melkite Greek Catholic archbishop who died a few years ago.

 

[JMartyr]

Anything by Archbishop Joseph Raya, especially “The Face of God: An Introduction to Eastern Spirituality.” Raya was a Melkite Greek Catholic archbishop who died a few years ago.

Hi, i’m JMartyr; are there any good places online to study Eastern theology?

 

[Diak]

I highly recommend the introduction to the Fathers by Olivier Clement (who just recently passed away, everlasting memory!) called the Roots of Christian Mysticism. Other very good primers already mentioned are Archbishop Joseph Raya’s Face of God and Kallistos Ware’s The Orthodox Way.

Several books by Lev Gillet, sometimes known as “A Monk of the Eastern Church” are also good, such as Jesus: A Dialogue with the Savior and Year of Grace of our Lord - a wonderful introduction to the Byzantine liturgical year.